The Boothbay Region Ambulance Service Board of Directors and 2016 fundraising chair Brenda Blackman are excited to announce jointly, with Paul and Giselaine Coulombe, a community challenge with a matching donation for this year’s fundraising goal. In addition to our annual appeal fundraiser, which sustains the service, equipment and training, we also need to raise funds to defray the cost of the new ambulance. We are replacing our oldest ambulance that has over 180,000 miles, at a cost of $140,000. Mr. and Mrs. Coulombe will match our overall campaign goal with a generous donation of $50,000. The challenge is to raise $50,000 of our goal by year end in order for us to receive the match. Thanks to our generous community, we are only $19,000 away from meeting our $50,000 match goal.

The ambulance was ordered Sept. 1, 2016 and is expected to arrive in the spring of 2017. The model chosen is more efficient and is better suited to meet the needs of the Boothbay region for delivering skillful healthcare. The support of the community is greatly appreciated by the board and staff of B.R.A.S. We firmly believe in the joint efforts of community pride. It is particularly special when individuals come forward to assist BRAS.

If you have not yet made a donation, please do; time is running out and we are so close to the goal. You can help us meet the challenge by year end. Our mailing address is Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 280, Boothbay, ME 04537; tel. no. 207-633-7711.